IPL 8: Stumbling Mumbai Indians face CSK hurdle

Mumbai Indians

What went right: Rohit Sharma sacrificed his opening slot and walked in at No.4, only to be dismissed without scoring. Yet, Mumbai Indians finished with a 160+ total. Despite an average score in the first six overs of 28/2 (37/3, 17/3 and 31/1 so far) their lower order powered Mumbai to competitive totals.(Full Coverage| Fixtures|Points Table)

What went wrong: For years, they’ve fiddled around with their batting-order, but Lasith Malinga has remained their trump-card. Even on occasions when he’s not struck with the new-ball, Malinga’s almost always guaranteed control for his team in the death overs. But he’s let his team down in IPL 8. Not only did he concede 41 runs in his 4 overs against Rajasthan, he was taken to the cleaners by Steve Smith. They also lost Aaron Finch to an injury.

Chennai Super Kings

What went right: Brendon McCullum not only reignited the World Cup fever in Chennai, it was like he was providing a replay of his breathtaking assaults in New Zealand. Even Trent Boult, who he had the pleasure of captaining during the Cup, was reduced to being a pedestrian trundler. R Ashwin, meanwhile, kept wheeling away with his deception, and made life difficult for the Sunrisers.

What went wrong: There’s little that can go wrong for a team that has McCullum and Dhoni firing. But just like in the World Cup, Ravindra Jadeja woeful form is a worry for Dhoni.

Conclusion

They have won both their matches, while Mumbai are yet to open their account despite have played a match more. Finch’s loss could bring in Lendl Simmons, and his medium-pace will ease Rohit’s worries about team-balance.